Fans of Downton Abbey are being urged not to skip The English, a BBC period drama that has been hailed as “one of the best series ever.” Originally released on BBC One and Prime Video four years ago, the six-part series is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
A Revenge Tale Set in the American West
Set in the late 19th century, The English follows Lady Cornelia Locke, played by Emily Blunt, who travels to the American West to seek revenge on the man she blames for her son’s death. She soon crosses paths with Eli Whipp, a Pawnee Nation member and former US Army cavalry scout, played by Chaske Spencer, who is travelling to claim land he was promised in Nebraska.
Together, the unlikely pair join forces and travel across the country to help one another as well as achieve their own goals.
Fans Praise the 'Masterpiece' Series
Viewers have been sharing their praise for the show online. One fan exclaimed: “This show is amazing!”, before remarking: “The chemistry between the two lead characters is phenomenal. Watching their journey together was moving and heartbreaking.”
A second echoed: “This kind of masterpiece reminds us what is like to be a ‘human after all’.” Someone else called it a “wondrous, glorious, beautifully told gem of a story”, while another fan labelled it “beautiful, haunting and traumatic”.
A fellow user added: "I watched all the episodes back to back. It was compelling and utterly absorbing. The characters were three dimensional, the script was pithy and believable. This was a tour-de-force. I loved it!"
Cast and Creators
The English was created by filmmaker Hugo Blick, best known for his work on Shadow Line, The Honourable Woman, and Black Earth Rising. The cast is led by Emily Blunt, famed for The Devil Wears Prada, A Quiet Place, Sicario and Oppenheimer, alongside Chaske Spencer, best known for starring in the Twilight saga as Sam Uley, Wild Indian, Echo and Sneaky Pete.
They are joined by a number of other recognisable stars, including Rafe Spall, Tom Hughes and Toby Jones. The English is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
